Monument to a Moscow Caretaker: Rostokino and Urban Art

• Location: Rostokino Aqueduct Park, part of Yauza Park in Rostokino.
• On foot: The park can be reached from VDNKh Metro station or the Rostokino MCC station.
• Created: The composition was created in 2006 by Vladimir Lepeshov and Andrey Asseryan.
• Height and material: Around three metres tall; made mainly from scrap iron, with its rusty surface deliberately left intact.
• Inspiration: Local caretaker Viktor Kollegin inspired the sculptors; the figure is a composite portrait.
• What to expect: A short outdoor visit can be combined with seeing the aqueduct and taking a walk in the park.

The “Rostokino dvornik” makes an everyday public-space job its subject: the caretaker who keeps paths and courtyards clean. The figure is conceived as a composite portrait. Still, it was inspired by a real man from Rostokino, municipal worker Viktor Kollegin. The sculptors’ workshops were in his neighbourhood. Kollegin advised them on how a caretaker holds a broom so that the pose would look convincing.

Sculptors Vladimir Lepeshov and Andrey Asseryan drew on the caretaker’s clothing and tools. His work clothes and equipment point to his daily duties, while the rusty surface and scrap materials define the sculpture’s appearance.

The composition is made mainly from metal parts and scrap. The pedestal also draws on a local motif: its edge is modelled on the crenellations of the Kremlin wall. In this way, the sculptors connect everyday work in a city neighbourhood with a familiar image of Moscow.

The figure is about three metres tall and stands out clearly in the park as a work in its own right. Its rust, sheet metal and other components can be viewed up close. The park places it in a green setting near the historic aqueduct, so a visit can combine the sculpture, a park path and views of the waterworks in a short, easy walk.

The monument is in Rostokino Aqueduct Park, which is part of Yauza Park. The park operator lists VDNKh Metro station and the Rostokino MCC station as starting points within walking distance. The site can therefore be planned as a separate outing in the city’s northeastern district. From either the railway station or the metro station, the route runs through the park to the aqueduct; a longer walk can continue along the Yauza.

If you are staying in Moscow, choose your accommodation based on the day’s planned destinations. The monument is in Rostokino, a northern district of Moscow. The city centre is home to Red Square and the Kremlin, while unusual places in Moscow offer other perspectives on city life.

A walk in the park can be combined with cultural attractions in Moscow and the city’s museums. For the journey to and from the metro, consider routes and transport options as well as planning your day and return journey.

These safety conditions also apply to trips to northeastern Moscow.

Who created the Rostokino caretaker monument?

Sculptors Vladimir Lepeshov and Andrey Asseryan created the composition, which was installed in 2006 in the park by the Rostokino Aqueduct.

Is the figure a portrait of Viktor Kollegin?

The figure is conceived as a composite portrait; Kollegin was its real-life inspiration. His advice helped the sculptors depict the pose and handling of the broom convincingly.

How do you get to the park on foot?

According to the park operator, Rostokino Aqueduct Park can be reached on foot from VDNKh Metro station or the Rostokino MCC station. The monument is in the park, near the aqueduct.

How do the materials and pedestal reflect the cityscape?

The sculpture is made from scrap; a sheet-metal apron and a broom refer to the caretaker’s work. The edge of the pedestal is modelled on the crenellations of the Kremlin wall, linking the monument to Moscow’s cityscape.